Women in Focus

Louise Butcher, the "Topless Runner", shares her powerful story of battling health anxiety and overcoming lobular breast cancer. Discover how Louise's determination led her to advocate for a double mastectomy without reconstruction, challenging societal norms and fighting the stigma surrounding breastless bodies. She discusses her journey of reclaiming control over her body, the emotional process of grief and acceptance, and how her experiences have reshaped her perspective on life, body image, and the inherent misogyny in society's view of women's bodies. She also touches on the profound impact of learning to live in the present. But will she do a Naked 5K?

Links for Louise Butcher:

Contact Women in Focus: womeninfocus@bn.org.uk

Karen Golec is a Canadian naturist living in a small northern community. She is a single woman who is at her happiest when travelling the world and exploring. She talks about body confidence, radical self-acceptance, and the joy of being without shame or judgment. She is a member of several naturist organisations, as she understands that supporting them is vital to furthering naturists rights around the world. Plus it means she gets to find out what is happening around the world and where she can go on her next trip.

Links for Karen Golec:

Contact Women in Focus: womeninfocus@bn.org.uk

Andee Rodgers, the Women In Nude Recreation (WINR) chair for the American Association for Nude Recreation (AANR), is a proactive advocate for body positivity, self-acceptance, and social naturism. Andee shares her perspective on how naturism can empower women and promote mental wellness, in particular in the wake of her childhood traumas. They discuss the misconceptions around nude recreation, the role of women in the naturist movement, and how shedding your clothes can mean becoming friends with your body and reclaiming your personal body freedom.

You can read Andee's written Women in Focus interview here.

Links for Andee Rodgers:

Contact Women in Focus: womeninfocus@bn.org.uk

Naturism really does have the power to turn lives around. Sarah Woodson, a young mother, has not only seen her confidence grow, but feels it has finally given her back autonomy over her own body after years of physical and sexual abuse. In this episode, Sarah shares her past with Helen, the transformation naturism has brought to her life, and the legal issues that have arisen from her being a resident of Arkansas, probably the most repressive state for naturism in the USA.

Links for Sarah Woodson:

Contact Women in Focus: womeninfocus@bn.org.uk

Join Helen Berriman as she talks to Sarah Tayler in this episode, the second in her two-part interview carrying on from Episode 15. Sarah, a transgender women and proud member of British Naturism, has been a naturist throughout her transition. Sarah shares more of her journey of self-discovery, including her own philosophy on how she lives her life her way, and how naturism offered her a safe and supportive environment, one where every body is celebrated.

Links for Sarah Tayler:

Contact Women in Focus: womeninfocus@bn.org.uk

Contrary to societal misconceptions, being nude as a transgender woman in a genuine naturist space can be an empowering experience that helps with overcoming body confidence issues. As Sarah shares, naturism offers a safe and supportive environment where every body is celebrated, allowing transgender women like her to find solace and confidence in their own skin.
Sarah Tayler, transgender women and proud member of British Naturism, has been a naturist throughout her transition. Sarah shares her powerful journey of self-discovery, from realising she was in the wrong body as a child to completing her transition in just one year. Join Helen Berriman as she talks to Sarah Tayler in this episode, the first of a two-part interview, coinciding with the start of LGBT+ History Month. And don't forget to come back for part two in next month's episode.

Links for Sarah Tayler:

Contact Women in Focus: womeninfocus@bn.org.uk

How do two seemingly opposing aspects of life — Naturism and Christianity — actually align in a way that brings people closer to their true selves? These paths may seem at odds, but for those in the Christian Naturist Fellowship they come together in harmony, offering new perspectives on body acceptance, faith, and the freedom to be who they truly are.
In this episode, Sheila Maycock shares her story. Sheila is a 63-year-old counsellor, living a beautiful blend of family, faith, and naturism in Devon. Sheila tells of her experiences, exploring the intersection between these elements, and talks about how embracing naturism has deepened her spiritual connection, enhanced her physical well-being, and enriched her whole family’s journey in life.

How does naturism align with Christianity? Can embracing our natural selves lead Christians to a deeper and more meaningful relationship with God as well as others? Join Helen as she explores Sheila’s journey and the unexpected ways in which her faith and naturism have shaped her.

You can read Sheila's written Women in Focus interview here.

Links for Sheila Maycock:

Contact Women in Focus: womeninfocus@bn.org.uk

Naturism is not something that is typically associated with women of Middle Eastern origin, on account of the social expectations from that part of the world making female body autonomy a challenge, let alone body acceptance. But for some the combination of academic education, cultural migration, and an innate sense of what is right creates a mind open to the possibility. Dr. Vian Aziz was born and raised in Iraq and through a series of moves she brought her young family to the UK in 2010, where she settled in Cardiff and works as a gynaecologist. Following her postgraduate study for a professional certificate in psychosexual counselling, she re-evaluated her own body perceptions leading her to not just try naturism, but to become an outspoken advocate for it. In this episode she tells her story to Helen.

You can read Vian's written Women in Focus interview here.

Links for Dr Vian Aziz:

Contact Women in Focus: womeninfocus@bn.org.uk